Europe needs a leader, but the only person capable of steering Europe out of the current crisis doesn't want the job - Angela Merkel, the "Slow-Motion" German Chancellor, as the US news magazine Newsweek calls her in a cover story.

Once celebrated as "Miss Europe," Germany's head of government is being criticized in Washington for her lack of leadership and unwillingness to take charge of the financial crisis triggered by Greece.

This week's issue of Newsweek runs a cover story titled, Waiting for Merkel - Why Germany Doesn't Want to Lead. The cover picture shows a headless Merkel with her hands folded - hands that appear ready to take action but don't.

The US wants the Europeans to take charge of the crisis in euroland, and wonders why no one does, says Newsweek.    

France's „hyper-active“
President, Nicolas Sarkozy, 55, is out of the question, Britain's Prime Minister Gordion Brown is a lame duck, and Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero, 49, has his hands full with the country's own economic troubles.

"Why don't you take charge," Mrs Merkel, the magazine asks. "Why to you chose to stay out of everyting?"

Responding to its own questions, Newsweek spekulates Germany's inaction may be driven by its Nazi past. Another reason may be internal opposition to a high-profile role, the magazine says.